Atherosclerosis (DS) develops for many reasons, especially diabetes and high blood pressure, the prevalence of which increases with age. Among these risk factors, the most important ones are smoking and alcohol consumption, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, nutritional disorders, obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
NUTRITION IS VERY IMPORTANT
Smoking directly affects the vascular cells, causing the death and shedding of the cells, and also directly reduces the blood flow by causing the vessel to shrink. Cardiovascular Diseases Specialist Op. Dr. Muharrem Arslandag gave information on the subject. Alcohol consumption affects both nutritional deficiencies and directly disrupts the vascular cell. With alcohol consumption, blood vitamin B level will decrease and DS will accelerate. Cholesterol accumulates directly in the vein, narrowing the diameter of the vein. Unbalanced diet and overweight also increase blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Diabetes causes a systemic disorder in all body vessels and accelerates the development of DS by causing premature death of cells, rapid penetration of cholesterol into the vessel wall, and increased blood pressure by disrupting the protective mechanisms that cause the vessels to expand sufficiently.
HIGH SUGAR HIGH RISK
The DS formation process begins with the help of these risk factors in individuals who are genetically predisposed from childhood. Especially with malnutrition, that is, exaggerated consumption of white flour, age and sugar consumption and inactivity, problems develop in our cells surrounding the inner wall of the vessels. As long as the veins are healthy, they are responsible for carrying blood and oxygen to our tissues. While performing this function, the most important elements are the vascular cells that surround the inner wall of the vein. Especially with factors such as high sugar, cholesterol and smoking, the functions of these cells are impaired. With the occurrence of structural changes, cholesterol passes through the blood to the vessel wall and the vessel begins to narrow, if there is enough accumulation, the vessel becomes clogged and that tissue becomes unable to function.
DS mostly affects the brain, heart, kidney, neck and leg, intraocular and intestinal vessels. With the slowing of the blood flow in the brain tissue, shrinkage and dysfunction in the brain tissue begins, if there is a complete blockage, the paralysis we call stroke may develop. With the narrowing of the coronary vessels, chest pain develops and if they are completely blocked, a heart attack occurs. Likewise, complete occlusions will cause blindness in the eye, kidney failure and high blood pressure in the kidney, and mesenteric bowel infarction, which can lead to digestive difficulties and death in the intestines.
To avoid such difficulties;
- Eat a balanced diet and do regular physical activity.
- Stay away from solid fats, white flour and flour products and sugary foods that cause high cholesterol, consume vegetables and fruits, especially fish consumption.
- Do not consume cigarettes and alcohol.
- If you have hypertension and diabetes, provide the maximum treatment and take your medications regularly. Various antioxidants can slow the development of DS, so increase your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.